Flexible coupling.



W. J. FRANKE.

FLEXIBLE GOUPLING.

APPLIGATION FILED No.4, 1912.

1,115,299 Patented 0013.221914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 2. 7. i7 L4 4 i L3 W. J. FRANGKE.

FLEXIBLE GOUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.4,1912. Ll BQQQU Eatente 00%. 2?, 19M.

3 SHEETSwSHEET 3.

M/JTNESSES ma.;

or shims D, the said wearing plates D projecting a short distance beyond the in-l ner or opposite ends of the keepers D2, D. The pins E pass through the innerends of the Wearing plates DU and hold the latter against lengthwise movement While the springs or shims D are free to move length-l Wise owing to the pins E, E passing through the elongated slots D", D5. By 'the arrangement described the Wearing plates DG take up the Wear incident to the movement of the springs or shims D and the wearing plates are extended beyond the inner ends ot the keepers tol provide a large flexible Wearing surface for the adjacent flexible springs or shims, and the projecting ends of the Wea-ring plates D do not present an abrupt non-flexible edge to the adjacent springs or shims D, and hence the springs or shims are not liable to break away under lateral tension, as indicated, for instance, in ,Fig The keepers D2 and D3 a-re pret'- erably cylindrical and fit into correspondingly-shaped apertures B', C formed in the coupling members B and C and arranged in a circle, the center of which coincides with the axis of the corresponding lshaft A or A. The keepers D2 and D3 project through the apertures B, C a distance-beyond the outer faces of the coupling members B and C, and through the projecting ends of the keepers pass cotter pins F, F abutting against the outer faces of the coupling members B and C, thus holding the keepers against move ment in the coupling members B and C. The outer projecting ends of the keepers l)2 and D3 are provided With flattened or beveled portions D7 onto which fit -correspondingly-shaped llanges Gr2 of retainingr rings G and G fastened by bolts or other means G3 to the corresponding coupling members B and C. .By the arrangementI described the keepers D2 and D of the flexible connecting members l) are held against., turning and endwise shifting in the openings B and C of the coupling' members B and (l.

By the construction described the parts can be readily assembled or disassembled for repairs `or other purposes, as it is onlv necessary to disconnect the retaining ring, G, G from the coupling members and to Withdraw the Cotter pins l", F for removal of the flexible connections 'D from the cou pling members. It will further be noticed rthat by the use of the wearing plates Du the keepers D2, D3 are protected against wear, and in case oi" undue wear ot the springs or shims D and the plates D they can be replaced by new ones without requiring replacing or renewing of the keepers.

The coupling members B and C are ccntrally connected with each other by two ball and socket joints, of which one prevents the coupling members from moving too far toward each other and the other ball and socket joint holds the keepers from moving apart. The two ball and socket joints are formed as follows: 0n the inner face of the coupling member C is formed centrally a concave seat C2 on which is adapted to be seated a spherical hollow 'members against moving apart. It is understood that the central connection be tween the couplingmembers B and C allows the said coupling members to flex but prevents the'same from moving apart, thus relieving the Cotter pins F a d, lt" of undue strain. The central connection described limits the movement of the wiaipliiig members B and C toward each other, thus preventing buckling of the springs or shims D In the niodiiied form shown in Figs. i and 5 each coupling member is provided with openings I for the reception of the keepers J oi the flexible connections D having the ilat springs or shims D and the wearing plates D" as above described. and engaged by the correspmiding pin E or E'.

The outer projecting end of each keeper d is provided with a groeve J into which projects an annular shoulder I2 on the correspending coupling member I so as to hold the keepers J against movement in a lengthwise direction. T he outer end of each keeper J is also provided with a flattened or beveled portion J2 engaged by the Flange G2 oi the corresponding retaining 'ring G or G,

above described.K

ln the modified form shown in Fi (i, '7, 8 and S), the adjacent ends of the shafts A2 and A3 to be coupled are provided with coupling members K and K flexibly connectedy with each other by lexible connecting members L similar to the flexible connecting member D previously described. The connecting menr bers L are formed at' flat superimposed shines or springs L. held in the forked ends of keepers L2, if' by the use of transverse pins L* passing through elongated slots LS in the springs L', the outermost of the springs L being' superimposed by Wearing plates Le similar to the wearing plates D previously described, and held against movement by the pins L4. The keepers L2 and L3 are provided at their under faces ivith recesses L7, Ls into which extend split rings N and N held in annular recesses l, KS formed in the coulos rality of superimposed flat springs provided with elongated slots at the ends, keepers on the ends of the said flat springs,pins on the said keepers and extending through the said slots .in the iiat springs, 'the said keepers engaging the said coupling members, and wearing plates held in each keeper and overlying the outermost flat springs, the said wearing plates projecting beyond the inner ends of the said keepers and the said wearing plates being engaged by the said pins and held by the pins against movement in the keepers.

e. In a flexible coupling, the combination of coupling members adapted to be secured to the adjacent ends' of two shafts, iiexible connecting members connecting the said coupling members with eachother, each flexible connecting member having a plurality oi superimposed flat springs, keepers on the ends of the said superimposed flat springs, the keepers engaging the said coupling members, and Wearing plates held in each of the said keepers and overlying the outermost Hat springs, the said Wearing plates projecting beyond the ends of the said keepers, and means on the coupling members and engaging the said keepers of each flexible connecting member to hold the latter against turning.

5. In a coupling, the combinat" an of coupling members adapted to be secured to thev adjacent ends of two shafts, flexible connecting members extending lengthwise in the direction oi' the axis of the coupling and connecting the said coupling members With each other, each flexible connecting member having superimposed flat. springs and keepers on the ends of the said dat springs, the keepers engaging the said coupling members, split rings for securing the said .keepers in the said members, and double ball and socket joints connecting the said coupling members with each other-,one of the joints limiting the movement of the coupling members toward each and the other joint limiting the movement of the coupling members from each other and relieving the said split rings of undue strain.

G. In a coupling, the combination of coupling members adapted to be lsecured to the adjacent ends of two shafts, each of the said coupling members having openings arranged in a circle, the center of which eoincides with the axis of the corresponding shaft, iiexible connecting l members each formed of a plurality of flat superimposed springs and keepers at the ends of the said springs, the keepers'engaging the said openings and having transverse grooves, and

lsplit rings in the said coupling members and extending into the said grooves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of4 two subscribing Witnesses.

TWILLIAM J. FRANCKE.

Witnesses JOHN P. DAVIS, PHILIP D. ROLLHAUS. 

